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Chairman Pays Tribute to Employers of Guardsmen, Reservists

By Linda D. KozarynAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2007  The military is grateful to the civilian employers of National Guardsmen and reservists who support their employees when they’re called to duty, said Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Pace saluted employers during a tribute to the troops in Anchorage on Feb. 23. Just prior to leaving Washington, he signed a letter acknowledging the military’s partnership with employers of reserve-component servicemembers.

“We quite simply can’t do our nation’s business without the members of our Guard and Reserve,” the chairman said. “They are incredibly valued members of the team. Because we value them so highly, there is no doubt in my mind that they have left behind holes in your organizations and your companies that are not easy to fill.

“So to all of you employers of the Guard and Reserve here tonight,” he said, “thank you for your sacrifice in letting these incredible young men and women come serve their country. Your service to the country is very much appreciated.”

At the Pentagon on Feb. 20, the chairman signed a letter acknowledging the partnership with civilian employers of Guardsmen and reservists and asked the services chiefs to endorse it and forward it to their leadership.

“They serve as the backbone of our citizen-soldier force,” Pace said in the letter. “Without their support, we could not sustain the finest military in the world.”

Citizen-soldiers of the National Guard and reserve forces make up half of the military’s total force, Pace wrote. Along with their active-duty counterparts, he said, they have “performed magnificently” while defending the nation “against a persistent and ruthless enemy.”

When members of the National Guard and reserves mobilize, they leave behind jobs with more than 200,000 civilian employers, the chairman wrote. Large and small companies bear the burden and provide invaluable support to the deployed servicemembers and their families.

Pace stated that he wanted to thank “all of our partners in this long war, especially the civilian employers,” and he encouraged all military leaders to recognize these patriotic businesses and companies during public speaking engagements.